An array of dazzling frozen sculptures will spring to life on the streets of downtown this weekend, as the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce hosts its 21st annual Ice Time Festival Saturday.

A plethora of different activities are lined up for the event, which takes place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. along Front and Commercial streets as well as at the Dowagiac Area History Museum on Railroad Street. Around 30 businesses are sponsoring single and multiple ice brick carvings for the event, with area ice sculptors beginning work on the creations at 8 a.m.

The highlight of the afternoon begins at noon, when the crafters will assemble at Beckwith Park for the annual Ice Carve-off. The competitors will have until 2:30 p.m. to create an ice sculpture from scratch for judging, with winners receiving cash prizes.

In addition to checking out the frozen creations, visitors will have the chance to enjoy some returning and new activities during the event.

Area chainsaw timber carver Alonzo Montoya will again give demonstrations of his work to the public on Beeson Street from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., while some local woodcarvers will show off their skills inside the Cass County COA Front Street Crossing Building from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Students with Michigan State and Ohio State universities will showcase some old-school lumbering techniques in a series of competitions from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Children will have plenty to do Saturday as well, with crafts and games aimed at youngsters taking place throughout the day at the museum, Dowagiac District Library and Who kNew? Consignment. The chamber will also host games on Commercial Street from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Hungry visitors will have the chance to satisfy their appetite during the festival. In addition to enjoying s’mores made at the Commercial Street bonfire, tended by officers with the Dowagiac Police Department, several downtown restaurants will participate in the annual Chili Crawl, with people voting on which bowl of spicy goodness they enjoyed most.

Caruso’s Candy Kitchen will also host its venerable Ice Cream Eating contest at 2:30 p.m. Children and adults will be able to compete for gift certificates, racing to be the first to finish a banana sundae.

 

Schedule of events:

8 a.m. — Ice carving begins.

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. — “Snow slime” craft activity at the Dowagiac District Library.

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Cooking decorating with Miss Dowagiac 2017 and her court of honor at the Dowagiac Area History Museum.

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Lil’ Chippers Outside Games on Commercial Street.

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Live demonstrations by Chainsaw Timber Carver Alonzo Montoya on Beeson Street.

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — “Silly Snowflake” crafts at Who kNew? Consignment.

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Tea and snowflake projects at Rosy Tomorrows.

11 a.m.  to 2 p.m. — “Carver’s Cave” Fruitbelt Woodcarvers demonstration at Front Street Crossing.

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Bonfire and S’mores at Commercial Street, provided by Dowagiac Department of Public Safety.

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — “Chili Crawl” at participating sites. Participants may vote for their favorite dish.

Noon to 2:30 p.m. — Ice Carve-Off Competition at Beckwith Park Gazebo.

12:30 p.m. — Frozen Fish Toss Open Competition at Commercial Street. People may bring a partner for a chance to win.

1 to 3 p.m. — “Snow Princess” manicures at The Mane Attraction Hair Salon for kids.

2:30 p.m. — Ice cream eating contest at Caruso’s Candy Kitchen. People should arrive early to enter.

3 p.m. — Carve off winners announced at Beckwith Park Gazebo.